Alice Waters and Her Delicious Revolution

This month, American Masters features a "Chef's Flight" of documentaries on four influential culinary figures. James Beard: America's First Foodie and Julia! America's Favorite Chef, about Julia Child, are both available to stream. Friday, May 26 sees the premiere of Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft at 9:00 pm, followed by a rebroadcast of Alice Waters and Her Delicious Revolution. 

Photo: Kait HoehneWaters's influence can be seen everywhere in the food world today, with its focus on organic, local ingredients and the proliferation of farm-to-table restaurants. When she opened her groundbreaking restaurant Chez Panisse in 1971 in Berkeley, California, canned ingredients were much more common than fresh. But her emphasis on the bounty of nearby California farms and later activism in support of organic food has even reached the White House, in the form of Michelle Obama's vegetable garden there. Enjoy some recipes from Waters here, courtesy of American Masters: Soupe au Pistou with Lamb Shanks and Strawberry Orange Compote.